Costco Wholesale Corp.

SAN FRANCISCO - The Environmental Working Group and the Center for Environmental Health filed notice last week of their intent to sue 50 salmon farms, fish processors and grocery chains under a California anti-toxics law, The Associated Press reports.

Today's intense business climate raises the profiles of both strong and weak competitors. Here's a look at how some food retailers fared last year.

LOS ANGELES - Union leaders plan to urge members to boycott North American stores owned by Safeway, Inc. in support of 70,000 grocery clerks who've been on strike for two months in Southern California.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. - Costco has reported a 10 percent rise in first-quarter profit, helped by the labor disputes in Southern California, which led to increased numbers of shoppers at its warehouse clubs, the company announced in an earnings conference call yesterday.

As beef prices reach record highs, retailers need to stock up on alternative proteins or risk losing considerable sales and consumer interest in one of the supermarket's most influential profit centers.

NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. here said this week its earnings dropped 13 percent in its latest quarter amid higher costs. The company's revenue, however, rose 18 percent.

DENVER - The founders of Wild Oats Markets have collected their favorite qualities from competitors to create Sunflower Market, a new low-priced natural foods prototype, the Denver Post reports.

Still busily blanketing the U.S. with stores, the largest retailer is also becoming a major presence in countries around the globe. So far, its prospects are bigger than its problems.